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How to Make Chicken Cutlets

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posted: 10/31/24

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Learn how to make chicken cutlets from chicken breasts for faster, more even cooking. These easy tips will help you create perfectly portioned cutlets every time!

four chicken cutlets on a cutting board with a knife

Since chicken breasts tend to be quite thick, the simple process of cutting them into cutlets has several benefits when preparing recipes. First, it helps ensure even cooking, as thinner cutlets cook more uniformly and quickly, preventing the outside from drying out while the inside cooks through. This also reduces overall cooking time, making weeknight meals faster to prepare.

Chicken cutlets are perfect for dishes like Chicken Piccata or salads where thinner pieces are ideal for sautéing or frying and result in perfectly cooked tender chicken.

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How to Make Chicken Cutlets

Here are the steps for cutting boneless skinless chicken breasts into chicken cutlets. Whether you plan to bake the chicken, cook it in a skillet, or air fry the chicken, this method works.

a hand on top of a chicken breast as a knife cuts it in half to make chicken cutlets

Step one: Start cutting into the chicken breast.

Place the chicken breast on a clean cutting board with a clean hand on top. Use a sharp knife to start cutting into the chicken horizontally at the thickest part.

a hand pulling back the top half a chicken breast as a knife cuts it in half for chicken cutlets

Step two: Butterfly it Open.

Continue cutting through the chicken breast, butterflying it open, until you have two pieces.

overhead view of four chicken cutlets on a cutting board

Step Three: Pound the cutlets thin.

If the cutlets are still more than a half-inch thick, use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them thinner. This will ensure even and quick cooking.

Place plastic wrap beneath and on top of the chicken cutlet. This will hold the cutlet together while you pound it. The cutlets are now ready to be cooked and used in recipes.

overhead of cutting board with chicken breast cutlet covered in plastic wrap with meat mallet sitting beside to make Chicken Parmesan
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Breaded Chicken Cutlets

If you are making a recipe like Chicken Parmesan, cutlets are perfect. Because they are thin, they will cook through completely in oil without the breading burning.

To do this, you will want to first coat the chicken in flour, then in an egg wash, and finally in breadcrumbs.

overhead of glass bowl of seasonings and breadcrumbs with a chicken cutlet sitting on top to make Chicken Parmesan

Using Chicken Cutlets in Recipes

Chicken cutlets can be used in hundreds of recipes. From salads to pasta to breaded chicken, here are some delicious ideas.

If you find these steps and photos helpful or make one of my recipes, I’d love to know!

four chicken cutlets on a cutting board with a knife
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How to Make Chicken Cutlets

(tap # to scale)

Ingredients

  • boneless skinless chicken breasts

Instructions

  • Place the chicken breast on a clean cutting board. Place one hand on top of the chicken breast.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut into the chicken breast horizontally at the thickest part.
  • Butterfly the chicken breast open and continue cutting all the way through until you have 2 thin pieces.
  • If the cutlets are thicker than 1/2 inch, pound them thinner with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
Author: Lisa Longley
four chicken cutlets on a cutting board with a knife

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How to Make Chicken Cutlets

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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